Apple iMac G5 conk off

[Kangadrool]

wiffy was using it when suddenly the screen black out. Tried to re-start but no sign of life. Pushed start button, but no white glowing light at all.

 

Trying to DIY fix it first before sending to repair shop (if cannot DIY). What is the likely cause? Already checked the fuse by swopping with another working one, still no sign of life.

 

Any cheap reliable Apple repair shop to recommend?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Felipe]

apple parts are not cheap. once break down, if no warranty, simply replace it. repairing it will be at least half the cost of a new one. and other parts may break down later.

[Tashi]

G5 bro? Then it could be of some vintage so it could be a fuse?

 

There isn't a "cheap" mac repair shop but you could try Multimedia Integrated. I tend to experience good service from those folks. You can talk to Richard (the boss) and he will assign someone.

 

Hope it pans out for your mac.

 

pax

[Little_prince]

time to change bro... not worth repairing... cuz the parts are exp...

 

from your description sounds like either mother board die or PSU died

 

if motherboard then gg liaoz

[Kangadrool]

Thanks Felipe and Tashi.

 

Already checked the plug fuse, it was OK. I am guessing it could be the power supply unit inside the computer. Just hope it isn't the harddisk.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Kangadrool

[Kangadrool]

time to change bro... not worth repairing... cuz the parts are exp...

 

from your description sounds like either mother board die or PSU died

 

if motherboard then gg liaoz

 

I think the mother board (or logic board as what Apple calls) died before on me few years back under warranty. [sweatdrop]

 

BTW, how to transfer those precious files out from harddisk since computer is dead now?

[Othello]

hey, try to get hold of another Power cable and try.

[Noobcar]

wiffy was using it when suddenly the screen black out. Tried to re-start but no sign of life. Pushed start button, but no white glowing light at all.

 

Trying to DIY fix it first before sending to repair shop (if cannot DIY). What is the likely cause? Already checked the fuse by swopping with another working one, still no sign of life.

 

Any cheap reliable Apple repair shop to recommend?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Usually it is the motherboard or the graphic cards that gone buzz. So no point repair it will need to be replaced and it is not cheap.

[Tashi]

hi mate

Like fellow bro mentioned, might be time to consider changing. The PPC architecture is "left behind" so best to jump on the Intel chip architecture on the Mac now. Many apps, including the current OS, is Intel-ony.

 

You might wanna consider buying the lowest end Mac Mini and use a cheap LCD screen (that's what I do these days). So it won't be all that expensive.

 

For the data on the hard disk, you can bring the iMac down (if you aren't into DIY) to the shop I mentioned, and ask them to transfer to an external FW400 or USB2 drive for you. If you are into DIY, check out www.ifixit.com which you can take apart your Mac.

 

hope it pans out for you.

 

Pax

[Kangadrool]

You might wanna consider buying the lowest end Mac Mini and use a cheap LCD screen (that's what I do these days). So it won't be all that expensive.

 

Thanks bro. Good idea for the Mac mini! Think it is the heat buildup (computer + LCD screen) with everything cramped inside a single flat panel that is causing this unreliability of logic board. And it does not help that my PC is not inside aircon room.

[Tashi]

hi mate

I personally prefer discrete components rather than a monolithic PC. Imagine if the screen is damaged, then you have to send in the entire Mac for repair and downtime occurs. With a Mini, then you have 2 advantages. If the screen is spoilt, it is easy to change a new one. Plus, you have a wide spectrum of brands to choose from, many of the modern ones can be had for really cheap. For example, I found a simple Benq LCD monitor with the stand being just a tad smaller than the footprint of the Mac (and the Benq footprint is actually squarish rather than a round shape).

 

Have a blessed day.

[Xtrocious]

Hmm...

 

Thought the trend is moving towards "integrated" machines these days? hahah

 

Anyway, we also got ourselves an iMac recently - my wife's idea - as she hates the clutter...

 

Myself? I am still sticking to my DIY PCs...endless tinkering possibilities - expensive habit though

[Tashi]

hi mate

From an individual user's pov, integrated units, especially notebooks, seem ideal. However, from a business or IT management pov, it is not necessarily the best foot forward. Indulge me a moment.

 

For example, in the earlier scenario I quoted, it is a real scenario. In the event of a breakdown, since these are Macs, the iMac is very heavy and large, compared to a Mac Mini CPU unit. So as an IT admin, he/she would have to carry the entire iMac to the repair shop, and hope that the data is not compromised. Also, replacement is more expensive and downtime could be longer. You could circumvent the downtime (slightly) if you pay extra, but the weight of the iMac is onerous compared to the physical weight of a Mac Mini.

 

And replacement costs? A typical 1366x768 LCD is perhaps 100-200 bucks max (digital), and in the event of a spoilt screen, it is easy to throw it away compared to a monolithic iMac.

 

For inhouse troubleshooting, it is also easier to relocate the Mac Mini around the office, to troubleshoot it hooked up to a single LCD (via switcher) as opposed to pulling the large iMac around.

 

The only downside to the whole issue, is perhaps inventory control and accounting, where you have to keep track of more items, but in this regard, you could say then the notebook is even better compared to an iMac (even if the costs are lots more). But notebooks, being extremely portable, is another headache altogether. Many laptops have been lost in a variety of ways, and data compromise is a real headache to management.

 

Just my humble 2 cents.

 

Pax

[Kangadrool]

Haha, I remembered few years ago when I bought this iMac and it conk off (logic board issue). I didn't have a car that time. So, got to carry this heavy but fragile brick to and fro Apple Centre (luckily I did not ditch the box. I used the box to protect and carry it around).

 

But most Mac users are home users and most corporate users (except maybe design house and small time businesses) are still sticking to Windows on generic machines.

 

If I remember correctly, Apple has quite good support (within certain period with T&C) that they will call at your premise and try to repair it. If cannot be repaired on the spot, they will bring it back.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Kangadrool